Resource information
In India, land continues to be of
enormous economic, social, and symbolic relevance. The main
purpose of this report is to review new empirical evidence
on land administration and land policy, as well as the
possible interaction between the two, to derive policy
conclusions. The empirical basis for the discussion of land
administration is provided by a review of land records,
survey and settlement, and land registration in 14 states.
Chapter two describes the origin, nature, and main functions
of current institutions and the ensuing problems for secure
tenure and easy transferability of land. Chapter three
identifies elements of a best practice approach to improving
textual data (records and registration) and, based on a
review of state experience, identifies the associated
benefits. Chapter four reviews the extent to which lessons
from improving textual records could help to give a boost to
improvement of the spatial database for land administration.
Chapter five concludes the discussion on land administration
by assessing the scope for title registration to help
improve tenure security in India and by identifying that
need to be discussed. Chapter 6 highlights that land reform
has helped increase accumulation of physical and human
capital but that the impact is declining over time. Chapter
7 explores the functioning of land lease markets, and the
extent to which restrictions on land leasing reduce the
scope for productivity and equity enhancing transfers
through such markets which could be particularly beneficial
for women. Chapter 8 reviews the operation of land sales
markets and suggests alternative approaches for preventing
land loss by tribal people and chapter 9 concludes with a
series of policy recommendations.
